Window locking device



Sept. 16, 1941. J MEGELA WINDOW LOCKING' DEVICE Filed Aug. 23, 1940 I7 H l5 I4 l INVENTOR JOHN M GELA ymf//@L/M/ bil 3. w A. /l

f ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW LooKnvG DEVICE John Megela, New York, N. Y. Application Augst 23, 1940, serial No. 353,799

1 Claim.

rlhis invention relates to locking devices for double-hung sash windows and similar structures.

The principal object of the invention is to simplify and improve the construction and manner of operation of window locking devices whereby these devices may be economically produced and readily installed, and whereby windows so equipped may be securely locked, in either of a plurality of positions, to prevent ingress.

The object of the invention is attained, according to one feature thereof, by the provision of a locking device that comprises two inexpensive elements, each of which may be readily installed with a minimum exercise of mechanical skill, whereby the sashes of a double-hung window may be securely locked together in either of a plurality of positions to prevent unauthorized movement of either thereof, either when the window is closed, or when the window is opened for ventilatng purposes. Another feature of the inven.. tion is to provide means whereby the sashes, when locked in closed position, are so closely drawn together as to prevent the insertion of prying tools. Another feature of the invention is to provide means automatically to align the elements of the locking device to facilitate the locking of the window in its closed position, or in either of a plurality of open positions. A further feature of the invention is to provide a simple disabling means to render the locking device ineifective when its action is not required. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the specification.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the appended drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the invention attached, in operative position, to the sash members of a double-hung window;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the invention, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the elements in locking position;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the invention, showing the elements in their disabled position.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, one element of the invention comprises a housing I (see Figs. 1 and 2) having a base portion provided with holes, countersunk to permit the insertion of screws, whereby the housing may be securely fastened to the -top of the upper cross bar of the lower sash 5 of a double-hung window. The front and rear walls of housing III.' are provided with apertures Il and I2, respectively, Which serve as bearings for a plunger I3, slldably mounted therein. The forward end of plunger I3 is provided with a atted portion I4 to facilitate manual rotation of the plunger, and a concentric shoulder I5 adapted to coact with the forward wall of housing I 0, as hereinafter described. On the portion of plunger I3 within the housing is lxed a collar I6 that serves as an abutment for a helical compression spring Il that also bears against the inside face of the forward wall of the housing, whereby the plunger is constantly urged rearwardly, The rearward end of plunger I 3 is provided with a threaded portion I8 having a root diameter slightly in excess of the diameter of the plunger.

The second element of the invention comprises a bar member 2U secured by screws to the inner face of a vertical side rail of the upper sash 6, and of such thickness that the distance between its outer face and the rear wall of housing I0 is slightly greater than the threaded portion of plunger I3. Bar member 20 is provided with a plurality 0f threaded holes 2|, spaced at desired intervals, each of which is adapted to receive the threaded portion I8 of plunger I3. Member 28 is so positioned on the upper sash that the lowermost hole 2| is in horizontal alignment with plunger I3 when the window is closed, and the remaining holes 2| are in vertical alignment therewith.

By means of the above described novel arrangement, the upper and lower sashes, when closed, may be securely locked together merely by rotating plunger I3 by means of atted portion I4. The several parts are so designed that after threaded portion I8 advances slightly into the lowermost hole 2|, shoulder I5 abuts the outer face of the forward wall of housing I0 so that continued rot-ation of the plunger serves to take up the clearance that invariably exists between the sashes in windows of this type, and the sashes are drawn into contact with each other. Due t0 the substantial mechanical advantage attained by the use of a screw, a slight additional pressure on plunger I3 serves not only to prevent rattling, but also makes it virtually impossible to insert a prying tool between the sashes.

In the event the window is to be left open to provide for ventilation, threaded portion I8 of plunger I3 may be engaged with either of the upper holes 2| in bar 20. Although the crossbars of the sashes are not in juxtaposition in either of these settings, a reasonable pressure applied to llatted portion I4 serves, as above, to hold the sashes stationary relative to the Window frame due to the fact thatthe vertical by the uppermost hole 2l must be sufficiently limited to prevent access between either sash and theV Window frame, regardless of the posi- Ytions of the sashes.

In order to facilitate the alignment of plunger `I3 with the holes ZI, the rearward end of the threaded portion I8 is slightly tapered, as at I9. Then, to effect locking, plunger I3 is-,Withdrawn against the tension of spring Il and one sash due to the spaced relationship of housing I0 and bar member V2l), unimpeded movement of either sash may be eiected.

While I have described What I consider to Vbe a highly desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many changes in form may be made Without departing from the invention.

What I 'claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A locking device for double-hungY sash Windov/s comprising the combination of a plunger housing ixed to the top of the upper rail of the lower sash, a plunger slidably mounted in Y said housing, said plunger being provided atone is moved to place the desired hole iniapproXimate alignment with the plunger, whereupon the plunger is released and is urged against the face ofbar member 29 `loy spring AII. The movement ofthe sash is then continued until the plunger snaps into the desired hole 2l.

thereobyirotation of the plunger. 1

In the event the action of ythe locking device Yis, notrequired, means are provided to render it ineiiective and to permit unimpeded movement oeither sash. For this purpose aperture I2 of housing I is tappedto receive the threaded portion :I8 ofvplunger I3. When the locking device isl to be disaloled, plunger I3is drawn rearwardly,

Y The sashes are thus accurately aligned to permit the lookin against the tension" of spring I'I, until the for- Ward end of' threaded portion I8 abuts the outer face of `therear-vvall lof housing I. Plunger I3 is VthenV -rotated'fslightly counter-clockwise to engage threaded portion VI8 With the tapped apertureY in housing IIl. fThe plunger is therebyv heldindisabledposition (as in Fig. 3), and,

end with a threaded portion and at the other end with a atted portion to permit manual rotation oi the plunger, said plunger at its` threaded end being adapted to engage a bar member spaced from said housing a distance rgreater than thev threaded portion of said` plunger, said bar member being fixed to the inner face of a side rail of the upper sash and being provided with a plurality of vertically aligned threaded holes adapted to receive theV threaded portion of the plunger, means to engage said plunger with either of said holes, said lasty recited means comprising impositive means to urge said plunger against said bar member and a'tapered end on thethreaded portion of said plunger, a shoulder onv said plunger arranged to abut said housing after said threaded portion is engaged with one of said plurality of threaded holes,whereby continuedrotation of said plunger is effectiveV positively topdraw 'saidsashes together, and means to render Vsaid looking'device ineileotive comprising a tapped portion in said housing adjacent to and adapted' to receivey the threaded portion of said plunger., f JOI-IN' MEGELA. f 

